January 1, 1943
Fort Benning, Georgia

Dear Sis,
I got your letter and a card from mom last night. I got your letter (the one before) OK and answered it. I remember writing that I was relieved to hear that you got the money.
I was paid $40 again last Wednesday, but I’m not going to send any. Bob got a furlough last night and was broke so I gave him 30 bucks to go home on.
Charlie and I went to town with him (we had planned to go out New Year’s Eve, anyhow) and, as his train didn’t leave until morning we had a good time.
Charlie and I are going in again about Monday night. Bob is going to wire the money back when he gets home and I’ll have to go to town to get it.
Charlie gets a furlough in two weeks, but I always get in the wrong outfit and I’m afraid, I’ll be out of luck for a couple of months anyhow.
I got the boxes from mom and Roses yesterday. They were postmarked December 18 but the cakes and cookies were in good shape and tasted fresh enough.
I’ll get some jumping, but not as much as the regular lineman. If I pack a chute and anyone refuses to jump it, I’ll have to jump it for a test. The other fellows can’t do that just to get out of jumping, though if I land safely, he gets a court martial. If it don’t work, they can’t do anything to the rigger anyhow!!
I’ve asked everyone I’ve written to up there, even Joe’s folks, and still haven’t gotten his address. I guess they all figure that someone else has already told me and I still want it.
I got a Christmas card from “Cap” but I haven’t gotten around to write him yet. I got about 26 cards in all and only sent nine.
I passed the One Week exam ok with a grade of 95, I take the Two Week exam tomorrow.
We go up and drop equipment chutes and drop test a couple of B-7 chutes tomorrow. They said that it takes about two hours so we’ll get quite a ride and land in a plane for the first time.
Have you seen Alice lately? I haven’t heard from her for sometime now. Maybe I shocked her in my last letter.
The people you stay with must be very nice and like you pretty well. Of course, if they could see me, you wouldn’t even stand a chance, but I guess you’re safe enough for a while.
I got a Christmas card from Charlotte C. but I’d like to see what kind of a letter she writes (I can tell a lot from that) before writing her again. She probably thinks that I am just a good-for-nothing bum trying to make connections with any girl I hear about. Might be right on the first part, at that.
I got a card from Ruth last week, but haven’t gotten a letter from her lately. The last one I got from her was plenty good. She mentioned some of the old times and made me homesick for a week.
Fern hasn’t written lately either, but she is pretty busy and doesn’t write often anyhow. She still wants me to come up to Rutland anytime I get a chance.
Bob told me he intended to go up to see dad and mom while he was home. I hope he does, they can at least find out what this outfits like.
Well, this letter isn’t as long as yours was, but gosh! These can’t be every one smart.
Your brother,
Wayne